Content distribution systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An electronic device comprises a first interface operable to receive from a user a selection of a first data set and a processor coupled to the first interface. The processor is operable to access the selected first data set, determine if the user is authorized to receive the first data set, and store the first data set on a memory device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Appiication No. 60/512,947, filed on Oct. 20, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Digital media, such as movies, music and games, are increasingly popular. Although several prominent systems, such as the Internet and/or cellular communications, of accessing digital files exist, these systems assume that the party wishing to receive the files has a medium to which to download the files. Moreover, mobility of consumers mandates remote entertainment access for situations where event streaming and download entertainment are not practical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, an electronic device comprises a first interface operable to receive from a user a selection of a first data set and a processor coupled to the first interface. The processor is operable to access the selected first data set, determine if the user is authorized to receive the first data set, and store the first data set on a memory device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of portions of the system illustrated in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a point-of-sale (POS) device 10 coupled to a network 170, to which, in turn, are coupled content providers 20, according to an embodiment of the invention. As discussed more fully with reference to FIG. 2, the device 10 is operable to receive from the content providers 20 over the network 170 data sets that comprise content files, such as digital audio files, digital video files, still images, text, executable software programs or any other content transmittable in a digital format. The device 10 is further operable to dispense the data sets by storing on a memory device, such as rewriteable digital memory storage media, either supplied by a user or dispensed by the device 10, a data set selected by the user. The device 10 stores the data set on the memory device in exchange for a fee from, or in recognition of another transactional arrangement with, the user. The memory device on which the data set is stored may be coupled or couplable to a client device 30 of the user, such as a personal computer, personal digital assistant, cellular telephone or other electronic device operable to present, for example, the video, audio and/or text associated with the dispensed data set.

Specifically, the device 10 is operable to periodically (e.g., nightly) receive for vending one or more data sets from the content providers 20 over the network 170. The device 10 may also send and receive transactional and other financial information via the network 170. The network 170 may include one or more local-area networks, one or more wide-area networks, such as the Internet, or public switched telephone network. Although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 contemplates the device 10 receiving data sets via electronic transmission over, for example, the network 170, the device 10 may alternatively receive the data files via manual loading of data sets from data storage devices maintained by, for example, an administrator of the device 10.

In an embodiment, the device 10 may be implemented as a fully self contained vending machine or as an operator assisted kiosk operation.

FIG. 2 illustrates components of and interaction between the device 10 and a client device 30 according to an embodiment of the invention. The device 10 includes the following components: a receiver 40, a storage device 50 such as a hard disk drive, a transmitter 60, a central processing unit (CPU) 70, a port 80, and a network interface 90 according to an embodiment of the invention. A bus 95 couples the device components to one another. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver 40 and/or transmitter 60 may be peripheral devices coupled to the device 10. The device 10 may include a strong physical housing (not shown) with internal power and damage notification elements (not shown) (i.e., Automatic Teller like configurations) to electronically and physically protect content. The storage device 50 may include buffered disks, or other storage media, such as solid-state memory, for permitting high speed loading of content onto drives. The storage device 50 may be capable of write rates of, for example, 35 Mbps to over 400 Mbps.

The device may further include or otherwise be coupled to one or more interface mediums 15 to allow the device 10 and a user to communicate with each other. As used herein, terms of interaction between the device 10 and a user, such as, for example, “receiving,” “selecting,” “requesting,” and the like, are made with reference to use of one or more of the mediums 15, unless otherwise stated. The interface medium 15 may include a video display, speakers, a cursor device, such as a mouse, and/or a keyboard. The medium 15 may further include payment devices that allow the device 10 to receive or otherwise acknowledge payment by the user in exchange for the user receiving the requested data set. Such payment devices may include coin slots, currency accepters, credit-card readers, smart-card readers, and/or radio frequency identification devices.

In an embodiment, the client device 30 includes the following components: a processor 100, a transmitter 110, a memory 120, a receiver 130, a removable storage device (RSD) port 140, and a port 150. A bus 151 couples the client device components to one another.

In operation, according to an embodiment of the invention, a user of the client device 30 wishing to receive a data set for presentation on the client device 30 may communicate a selection of the data set to the device 10.

For example, the user may prompt the device 10 to execute a software application with which the user may interact via a medium 15. The software application may prompt the user to input information identifying the file. This identifying information may be input to the device 10 by, for example, selecting the data set from a list of data sets generated by the device 10 to the medium 15, or inputting to the medium 15 a title of the data set.

After receiving an identification of the data set requested by the user, the CPU 70 consults a table 160 of available data sets that reside in the storage device 50. Alternatively, the CPU 70 may access, via the network interface 90, a similar table (not shown) of available data sets stored, for example, on a remote server (not shown) associated with the network 170.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the CPU 70 identifies the data set requested by the user. In alternative embodiments, the data set may be stored on the storage device 50 or may be retrieved by the device 10 from a remote server (not shown) associated with the network 170.

The device 10 may then prompt the user to pay to receive the requested data set. The device 10 may prompt the user by, for example, generating to the medium 15 a price list for each requested data set. Alternatively, the device 10 may first provide to the user, in a manner described in greater detail below, a “preview” sample portion of the data set to enable the user to evaluate the data set for purchase.

Once the CPU 70 verifies that payment for the data set has been received, the device 10 may then request that the user identify the memory device on which the requested data set shall be stored. Depending on the type and location of the target memory device, the device 10 may store the data set to the target memory device in a variety of ways. For example, in an embodiment, the transmitter 60 transmits the data set via signals 180 to the receiver 130 of the client device 30. The signals 180 may be infrared signals, radio-frequency signals that conform to a communication protocol such as Bluetooth, or any other wireless signals. This arrangement may thus allow near-proximity wireless connectivity (e.g., Infrared, Wi-fi, Bluetooth) for content transfer to computing-platform based storage media (e.g., Bluetooth from device 10 to Cell Phone into MMC card storage on phone).

Alternatively, the CPU 70 can employ the port 80 to communicate the instructions over a cable 190 to the port 150 of the client device 30. The ports 80 and 150 may operate according to any plug-and-socket connection standard such as Universal Serial Bus or IEEE 1394, which are known in the art.

Still alternatively, the port 80 of the device 10 may receive a RSD 200 such as a solid-state CompactFlash device. Consequently, the CPU 70 may store the data set on the RSD 200. The user can then disconnect the RSD 200 from the device 10 and connect it to the RSD port 140 of the client device 30 so that the client device can download the data set from the RSD via the RSD port. The port 80 may be configured to accommodate the entire favorite digital camera storage media forms (e.g., Memory stick, MMC card, SD, Compact Flash etc), USB ports, PDA Cell-phone format storage forms, all for writing/write-checking the data set into a memory.

In an embodiment, the port 80 is operable to lock, in a manner known in the art, the RSD 200 into a locked position during the data set download process, during which the user may pursue other activities with assurance that the RSD will not be removed in the user's absence. The user may than disengage the RSD 200 from the port 80 by, for example, a key (not shown) or identification code supplied to the user by the device 10.

Still alternatively, the device 10 may include a supply unit 55 that is operable to store memory devices, such as RSDs. If desired by the user, the device 10 may store a requested data set on a memory device present in the supply unit 55 and subsequently dispense the memory device to the user. As such, a user without a storage medium but wishing to obtain a data set may purchase both the data set and the storage device on which the data set is stored from the device 10.

Still alternatively, the device 10, after identifying the requested data set and the target storage medium indicated by the user, may determine that the target medium has insufficient storage space or is otherwise unsuited to receive the requested data set. In this event, the CPU 70 may consult equipment specifications stored, for example, on the storage 50 or other location in order to identify equipment that the user may employ in order to receive the requested data set. The device 10 may then generate to the medium 15 a list of such equipment that the user may purchase from the device 10 or elsewhere.

In an embodiment, the requested data set is encoded. Accordingly, the device 10, when storing the requested data set on a target storage medium may further store thereon a decoding data set that, when executed, operates to decode the requested data set, thereby enabling presentation of the requested data set. Techniques by which content files and associated decoding data sets may be created and employed by, for example, the device 10 are described in commonly owned U.S. patent application No. 10/848,224, titled “MULTIMEDIA STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” and filed May 17, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The device 10 may otherwise provide digital rights management (DRM) and content protection for all the contained and dispensed content by employing systems already in place for content protection/DRM such as that standardized by Internet Groups and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Every data set dispensed will contain its own serial number so that unauthorized use may be traced and prosecuted. The serial number cannot be changed without at the same time erasing as least some of the content of the data set. The data sets transmitted to the customer's storage media device may also be constrained to play from that device only. If the attempt is made by the customer to copy the media onto any other storage than that originally dispended onto, the media will not play.

For example, a content anti-copy mechanism may be used when writing content to memory cards, whereby the serial number of the memory device is utilized. This process requires that the serial number of the card be read by the device 10 and then written onto the card as part of the data set, as well as loaded with the data player/decoder on the card.

Should the card data be subsequently copied on to another medium such as a second programmable flash card, the files would not play since the new card would have a different serial number from the original. Thus the card would act as a dongle preventing play of the data by its own self-contained player. Use of video players on a playing device (e.g., cell phone) would not permit this manner of anti-copy protection.

The number of plays that will be allowed for a given price may be accommodated by the device 10, such that, for example, a rental movie can be played but once (or N times) as contrasted against a music video which would normally receive unlimited plays.

This limitation whereby the number of plays may be limited in a pay per view application may be achieved by utilizing rewritable cards such as flash memory cards. Read-only and write once flash cards may not be employed for this method. The device 10 may, when reading a card, be able to determine whether the card is a multi-time programmable card. In the event that the card is programmable, the software associated with the player accompanying the data set will implement a count down on play cycles and write the same to the card upon the completion of each play. When the N-views have been counted for which N was paid, the player will limit the plays to that specified by reading and comparing the counts written on the card. The player may, after this limit has been reached, scramble the original data file.

When writing new content onto the customer's rewriteable disk storage media, the device 10 may automatically recognize and utilize storage areas on the storage device/card which have been previously used for content for which use has now expired. The device 10 will allow a customer to block files from being overwritten with new content by, for example, allowing the customer to specify the memory portions into which content should be written.

Other embodiments of the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are contemplated. For example, the client device 30 and device 10 may respectively include more or fewer than all of the components illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, if the device 10 and client device 30 communicate only via a wireless channel, then the device 10 may omit the port 80.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process of providing a data set according to an embodiment of the invention. Beginning at a step 300, a user wishing to receive a data set provides an indication of his/her data set selection to the device 10. After receiving an identification of the data set, at a step 310, the device 10 determines if the user is authorized to receive the data set (i.e., whether the user has paid for the data set). Subsequently, at a step 320, the device 10 determines whether the user has identified an appropriate target memory device or whether the user requires additional or other equipment. At a step 330, the device 10 accesses the requested data set. Subsequently, at a step 340, the device 10 stores the requested data set on the target memory device.

The conflux of several new technologies and trends lend themselves to embodiments of the invention described herein. For example, video and audio compression advances make it possible for near DVD quality movies with high-fidelity sound to be stored in a fraction of the storage earlier required (e.g., a 93 minute near DVD quality movie can be stored with spare on a 512 MB USB Flash Drive). Thus on the internal storage of the device 10, where, for example, a terabyte (four 250-GB Disk Drives) can easily and inexpensively now be accommodated, thousands of movies, music videos and high quality audiotracks can be accessed.

The device 10 may dispense content encoded in technology other than that employed in DVD movies or on CD players. The decoder contained with a data set is utilized by the general purpose processor of the computing platform to decode and render the video/audio and must be adaptable to operating system and “playing platform” CPU and video configuration. The decoder will not be specified for any particular “standard’ and may be anything which renders good quality. The owner or administrator of the device 10 may provide for the encoding of the data and provide DRM/content protection to the satisfaction of the content owner/licensor. Provision may be made for license fees/per dispensation to be collected by the device 10 owner and paid to the content owner.

Inexpensive rewriteable digital memory forms promote implementation of embodiments of the invention described herein. Principally flash memory and its successors, which were pioneered for digital cameras, have now penetrated into the computer memory field and are the storage form of choice for portable applications as evidenced by their embrace by PDA's, cell phones, and now are the desktop/laptop portable storage form of choice. Capacities on the market already are in the 4 GB/device range, enough to accommodate many movies at a time. The I/O data rates of these memories are also already such that a 90 minute movie could be loaded from the device 10 onto a memory within a matter of less than 10 seconds at the nominal rates (400+Mbps). Not all memory forms may be that rapid, and may require more time to load a 90-minute movie. Locks known in the art that prevent removal of consumer storage devices absent an unlock code or physical security identification means, such as a key, may be provided in connection with the device 10, and allow the consumer to walk around the store, e.g., supermarket, during the content download.

High speed general purpose computing processors with video output capability now exist in all computing platforms, such as desktops, laptops, PDA's and cellphones. Some devices are already on the market for reading memory cards and converting the output for input to a TV set (e.g., Vosonic Digiviewer 3020).

Advanced audio processing now exists to convert a normal stereo signal into high-fidelity sound without adding significant bandwidth to the coded signals. These technologies promise new form for earlier released sound tracks.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention, such as, for example, the described operation of the CPU 70, may be written in an object-oriented programming language, such as JAVA, Smalltalk, or C++. Computer program code for carrying out these operations may also, however, be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the C programming language or compiled Basic (CBASIC). Furthermore, some modules or routines may be written in assembly language or even micro-code to enhance performance and/or memory usage. In addition, at least one carrier signal may be modulated with computer program code for carrying out the described operations.

The preceding discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 

1. An electronic device, comprising: a first interface operable to receive from a user a selection of a first data set; and a processor coupled to the first interface and operable to access the selected first data set, the processor further operable to determine if the user is authorized to receive the first data set, the processor further operable to store the first data set on a memory device.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a supply unit operable to store at least one dispensable memory device.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein: the processor is further operable to store the selected data set on the at least one dispensable memory device; and the supply unit is further operable to dispense to the user the at least one dispensable memory device on which the selected data set is stored.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second interface coupled to the processor and operable to couple to the memory device.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the second interface is operable to lock the memory device into a locked position.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the second interface is operable to release the memory device into an unlocked position in response to receiving an unlock authorization.
 7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a key receiver and wherein receiving an unlock authorization comprises receiving a key in the key receiver.
 8. The device of claim 6 wherein receiving an unlock authorization comprises receiving via the first interface an identification code.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is operable to store the data set on the memory device via a wireless communication signal.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the data set comprises an audio file.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein the data set comprises a video file.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein: the first data set is encoded; and the processor is further operable to store on the memory device a second data set that, when executed, is operable to decode the first data set.
 13. The device of claim 1 wherein the first data set comprises content, the first data set further comprising a third data set, wherein alteration of the third data set causes alteration of the content.
 14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a storage device operable to store the first data set.
 15. The device of claim 1 wherein the memory device is a flash memory device.
 16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second interface, and wherein the processor is further operable to generate to the second interface a description of at least one apparatus on which the first data set can be stored.
 17. A method, comprising: receiving from a user a selection of a first data set; determining that the user is authorized to receive the first data set; accessing the selected first data set; and storing the selected first data set on a memory device.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein determining that the user is authorized comprises determining that the user has paid to receive the first data set.
 19. An article of manufacture, comprising: a machine-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: receive from a user a selection of a first data set; determine that the user is authorized to receive the first data set; access the selected first data set; and store the selected first data set on a memory device.
 20. The article of claim 19 wherein the medium comprises a modulated carrier signal.
 21. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second interface operable to enable the user to pay to receive the first data set.
 22. The device of claim 21 wherein the second interface comprises at least one of a coin slot, currency accepter, credit-card reader, smart-card reader, and radio-frequency-identification device. 